A/N: I know I've been gone a while. Don't want to say much more than some really nasty stuff in life happened, and it didn't help that this chapter was immensely hard to write, but I meant what I said when I'm not going to leave this unfinished. This one has a bit of a different format, but I hope you like it.

Bree Craban, the Understanding Realist

District 8 Female

If I thought I was going to be able to sleep in just a little bit the morning before our interviews, I was sorely mistaken. Our escort, Tyrellia, comes into my room as early as ever, rattling on about how the importance of today cannot be overlooked. I'm only half-listening as I slowly push the covers off of myself and climb out of bed, but I manage to gather that she thinks the interviews are the single most important pre-Game event in terms of getting sponsors, and it's imperative that Samuel and I do well in this test.

As she leaves to give me privacy so I can dress myself, I actually find myself agreeing with her. For us in District 8, the interviews are seen as the Capitol's cruel way of reminding everyone that they had sentenced 23 children to death, not some random faces. These children all had personalities and families and reasons to want to make it out alive. They are people, and the interviews are a striking reminder of that after a week of tributes being defined by crazy outfits and numbers associated with them.

But now that I'm facing the interviews as a tribute rather than a spectator, I've slowly begun to see how the Capitolites view the tributes. In part, we are just nameless spectacles that provide them with some cheap entertainment. But on the other hand, I've come to see that they truly revere the Victors. They want Victors that they can see as one of them, as friends of the Capitol. The interviews are the first time they can see whose personalities they enjoy so they can decide who they want to come back and come to know.

I only wish they were able to see the rest of the tributes the same way. For as much as the Victor's become close to deities, the bodies they climbed over to reach that status are overlooked by the Capitolites. They don't care about the blood that was shed to get their newest celebrity, their newest obsession.

Sam and I haven't thought too much about sponsors. Both of us thought it was more important to attempt to learn survival techniques over trying to make people like us. But both of our mentors have stressed on us the importance of getting sponsors. No matter how good our survival skills might be, a sponsor gift could mean the difference between life and death.

So as much as I wish I actually had the day to rest and recover from the emotional turmoil this last week has been, I begrudgingly trudge to the bathroom for a quick shower, dress myself in the soft cotton clothes that have been provided for us, and make my way to the dining area where I see Samuel, Tyrellia, and both of our mentors.

Sam gives me a small smile when I come out. I haven't totally forgiven him for volunteering, but I'm also certain that I don't want to spend what is very likely going to be both of our last days angry with him. It's also accepted that we will be going into the arena together. Whatever happens, I won't be alone, and I am thankful for that at least.

"There you are Bree, what kept you?" Tyrellia chirps as I sit down at the table and add food to my plate. She continues without waiting for an answer. "As you both know, the interviews are the single most important event before the Games in terms of getting sponsors. Neither of you had spectacular chariot entrances or training scores, so it is even more critical that you impress everyone during the interview." She gives us a stern look, as though it's somehow our fault for what our stylists made us wear for the chariot rides or that we aren't trained like the Career tributes. When no one does anything other than stare at her, she delicately adjusts the soft green curls on her head before speaking again.

"Therefore, you will both spend your morning with me. You don't come from a civilized district—"

"Excuse me?" I can't help but blurt out. I take back all the pity I felt for Tyrellia. She can be as dense about the Games as she wants, but it's totally unfair to insult us just because we happened to be born in District 8. It's not like either Sam or I chose that.

Tyrellia looks at me with violet eyes that I've seen on many of the women in the Capitol. "Here in the Capitol, we have a certain level of decorum that is expected of everyone," she sniffs. "I can promise you that no one will sponsor you if you do not show that you are able to blend yourselves in to our high society. Therefore, you will spend your morning with me so that I can teach you the proper etiquette you'll need for your interview. After we adjourn for our luncheon, then you will go with your mentors so they can help you prepare for the actual content of your interviews."

I suffer her one more glare before turning back to my food. I've never really been an angry person, but I've found my moods have been fluctuating drastically here in the Capitol. I can recognize that most people here don't see us as people because they haven't been taught to think any different. But those who do, like the Head Gamemaker and the President, fill me with a loathing I can hardly describe. They know what they're doing to us. They know that our families are being torn apart. They know that they are causing emotional scars that can never be healed. And for the life of me, I cannot wrap my head around the fact that they don't have the capacity to care.

Throughout this, Sam has been the only thing that is keeping me sane. During that first night on the trains, when my emotions were too much to handle, he did his best to comfort me while I cried late into the night. He's been the one to remind me that we needed to focus on training instead of on the Head Gamemaker while he silently watched and judged over us all. He's been my rock through everything, all while dealing with his own emotions, which I'm sure are just as confused, pained, and angry as mine are. Were he not here, I don't doubt that I would go insane.

And that is precisely what is causing me the greatest turmoil. On the one hand, I absolutely hate that Sam is going into these Games with me. Neither of us can pretend that there's a way for both of us to be making it out alive, and I'm fully aware that Sam volunteered so that he could try and save me. I don't want him to give up his life for mine. I'm not worth it. And I know that if Sam dies and I somehow make it out of the arena, I will be leaving such a huge part of myself behind.

And yet, at the same time, I'm grateful beyond words that he's here going through this with me. I didn't realize this until a couple of days into this, but even the pre-Game activities are absolute hell, and I wasn't prepared for them in any way. I can't imagine how I ever would have coped if I didn't have Sam. I shouldn't be happy that Sam basically gave himself a death sentence, and I'm not, yet at the same time I am grateful.

These two sides of me are constantly at war in my mind, making me hate myself. Sam knows there's something wrong, but doesn't pester me for answers like anyone else would. The one silver lining is that if or when I finally do express my anguish to Sam, I know he won't be mad or judge me for it. I'm sure he's going through the same feelings I am.

During my thoughts, we finish our breakfast in comfortable silence, and begin making our way to the living room where Tyrellia is waiting. Before we cross the door, Sam looks at me. "Don't worry too much," he murmurs. "We'll be fine."

I try and smile back at him, but the relief he gives me is mingled with guilt. I can only hope that I can manage to keep these feelings in check by time we enter the arena.

Milla Waves, the Anxious Sneak

District 9 Female

"Milla, you're going to have to speak up," my mentor, Glacier, reminds me gently for the umpteenth time. My lower lip just quivers in response. I know that I'll have to speak louder, but I'm terrified of these interviews. All those faces staring at me, silently judging me… I don't know how I'm going to get through them.

"Don't some tributes get away with not saying much during interviews?" I whimper. Glacier sighs.

"Yes, sometimes, but those tributes are going for an intimidating angle," she explains. "We spoke before about how that probably won't work with you due to your size and age. But we can get sponsors if we play into an angle of how sweet you are. Pity can get you surprisingly far with the right sponsors."

Her words ring out with truth that even I can't deny, but that doesn't make it any easier to hear. Sweetness is one thing, but no one in the Capitol will be willing to sponsor a tribute that shows how scared to death she is of the Games. I'm sure most of them have already written me off as a bloodbath tribute anyway, and showing my fright would rob me of what little prayer of sponsors I have.

I haven't been able to convince myself that I have any chance of making it out of these Games alive. My death warrant was signed the moment the escort called out my name. Even if my mind hadn't been scarred by seeing that man be killed, I still wouldn't have any chance. I'm the smallest tribute going into the arena this year, facing not only the usual Careers, but a Victor's daughter, a giant tribute from District 11 of all places, and a violent boy from District 6 that has made it known throughout training that he wants to forgo weapons and resort to crushing our skulls beneath his fists. How am I supposed to compete against tributes such as these? At this point, I doubt my interview even matters.

I wasn't even able to do well with the etiquette lessons from our escort. She tried to teach me how to walk in dresses and heels, but even after four hours of hard work, I couldn't stop myself from tripping in those fancy gowns and ridiculous shoes. Apparently, I also have an accept that makes me sound like a "hick" and she tried to coach that out of me, but all it did was make me cry when I didn't understand what she was trying to teach me.

I glance back at Glacier, who's still waiting for an answer. "I-I don't know h-how to talk to p-people," I stammer, unable to look my mentor in the eyes. "It's not just the Games. I haven't been able to for years."

"Surely there's someone at home you can talk to," she says. "They'll be watching, too. Just pretend that you're going to be answering their questions and talking to them instead. Do you have anyone in mind?"

I smile slightly. "My sister Lilith," I whisper. Even before everything changed, Lilith was always who I was closest to. Obviously, she wouldn't be asking these questions, but I can answer if I'm pretending to talk to Lilith.

This strategy works much better than anything else we've tried so far. I know it's not a complete turn-around of my shyness, but I'm not stammering so much and I'm able to answer the questions. Even Glacier seems pleased with how far I've progressed.

Her strategy has awakened something within me, reminded me of something so important that I can't believe I've forgotten until now. Lilith has been watching this entire time. Though she has only been shown what the Capitol has televised, I know I haven't been putting up the most confident persona. Lilith probably thinks that I've completely given up.

I had even toyed with the thought of letting myself get killed during the bloodbath. I know most of the other tributes think that's where I'll meet my end anyway, if they even think of me at all. At least at the bloodbath, there would be so much going on that it would be quick. None of the really sadistic tributes would have time to draw out my death and make it needlessly painful. I wouldn't be forced to witness to face anyone's death but my own.

Now, I know that I can't do that. Though I might truly have no chance in these Games, I do want to see my sister again, more than anything. And I want her to know that. I know I would be heartbroken if the roles were reversed, if it were Lilith going into the Games, and I thought she had given up. I would think that I didn't matter enough to her that she wouldn't even try and put up a fight to try and see me again.

So, I will do my best to show Lilith that I will do my best to see her again. I will not give up the second I get into the arena. I will run if I have to. The one asset I have is that I'm fast, and none of the tributes will be able to kill me if they can't catch up with me. It's not much, and I could always be taken out by a Gamemaker's plan, but at least it's something.

I will not break Lilith's heart. If I die, she will hurt, and the thought of that is nearly enough to send me spiraling into tears. But I won't make it worse. Even if it's my last act in this world, I will prove to her that I am fighting, and that I'm doing it for her.

Leta McClain, the Calm Storm

District 2 Female

As I wake up the morning of the interviews, I'm not only ready, but eager to show off my personality and skills for the Gamemakers and sponsors throughout the Capitol before the actual Games themselves. I've done well so far, both with my initial entrance and especially in training, but that's all expected of a District 2 tribute. The interviews are where I'll start to show Panem who I am, for them to connect a person to my face, a person to root for.

I'm not too worried about the actual interview itself. I've never been the most loquacious person in the world, but I can make friends easily enough, and my mentor Izumi coached me yesterday through the most likely questions I'd get, and she seemed happy with my answers. Izumi is a wildly popular Victor who has managed to lead quite a few other tributes to victory as well, so if something is good enough for her, it's good enough for me. I've also been given coaching on my decorum and etiquette from our escort. District 2 might not be as high society as District 1 or the Capitol, but I still managed well enough to the point where I just want to be under the lights of the stage already.

Of course, the only downside of this is that I'll have to see my fellow tributes again. After meeting them and spending the better part of the week with my fellow Career tributes, I can safely say that I'm not going to lose any sleep over killing them when the time comes. Zale and Pearlia are fine, but they're definitely more loyal to each other than the pack. Jem's arrogance is beyond annoying, and I don't like having to put up with it. Rye, of course, never says anything, so I haven't had a chance to build up any sort of friendship with him, even if I had wanted to.

And then there's my District partner. I'm still fuming that he cheated his way into the Games, and the worst part is that he's a genuine threat. Once my initial fury at him had calmed down, I had consoled myself thinking he wouldn't be too much of a concern since he hadn't been trained at the academies for several years now. It had only taken few minutes in the training centers to prove that I was very, very wrong in that regard. Not only is he trained, he's also smart. It's a deadly combination.

But luckily for me, I also possess these attributes. While there are plenty of strong girls in District 2, I rightfully earned my place in the Games today, and I did it through a combination of my strength and brains. I know a lot of tributes have counted me out due to my height, but I've spent years making up for that particular deficit. I can easily take down opponents taller than myself, and it's not all due to brute strength either. A lot of times, I win my fights using my wits.

It's because of my mind that I know that I have the keep the peace between the Career pack for now. If I was the one to cause drama in the beginning, the Games would probably be a repeat of last year, where none of the Careers were able to win. It was a mistake that was so easy to avoid, and I'm determined that I will not be someone to repeat it. If that means putting up with the other Careers for now to better my chances, so be it.

While I'm mulling over my thoughts, my prep team comes to gather me to help me get ready for the interviews. I let them lead me away, and at first, I'm expecting the same grueling experience that I had right before the opening ceremonies, but it's not near that bad. One of them remarks that if I win, I should have surgery to make myself taller, but other than that, they're harmless. They do their best in getting me deemed good-looking enough for the Capitol, and it's vital that the Capitolites like what they see.

Before too long, my prep team leaves and I'm taken to meet with my stylist, Cicero. Him, I like very much. He did a great job with the chariot outfits on night one, making me look like a real tribute instead of a laughingstock, even with my height hindrance. I have no doubt that he'll come up with something just as good for tonight.

"What angle have you decided on going for this evening?" he asks as he starts pulling out a few dress options.

"Confident," I answer. "Though, why does it matter?"

"You'd be surprised how much a person's dress can influence their angle," Cicero smiles. "For example, if you were going for intimidating, I would have put you in black." He pulls out a dress of the said color that probably would have looked ridiculous on my short frame. "I'm glad that you went with a different angle though, because I think blue will be good for tonight. It's a neutral color and will keep the focus on you, which will help with your angle."

We're silent for a few moments as he starts helping into the dress he's chosen. "How are you holding up with your allies? Izumi mentioned that you're having trouble getting along with some of them."

That question catches me completely off guard, and I don't know how to respond to it at all. I scramble for a few moments to try and find an answer, but when I'm unable to come up with anything, Cicero comes to my rescue.

"I just want you to remember to keep a level head, no matter how much they might irritate you," he warns. "I remember the girl I had last year. She didn't like her allies much either, and she'd picked up during training that no one was getting along well. She decided that her strategy was going to try and pit them against each other so they would attack each other and she could walk away with the victory. Well… you saw how well that worked out."

Yes, I saw only too well how that had worked out. I'd known Tressa Ross from the training centers, and although she, admittedly, was a bit of a hot head, she was also strong and capable. I, as well as the rest of District 2, was shocked when she was the first of the Careers to die, killed by two of her allies on only the third day of the Games. Her death started the avalanche of the Careers killing each other, until only the boy from District 1 remained. Without a team behind him, he was easy pickings for Kota Garrison once he eventually tracked him down.

"I won't make that mistake," I assure Cicero. "I studied the Games last year, saw the mistakes. Even though I don't like Nero or Jem much, I know I have to put up with them if I want to win. And I have every intention of winning."

My words make Cicero smile. "Good. And I have every hope that you'll be coming out of the arena with the laurels." He gives my dress one final adjustment. "I haven't been this excited about one of my tributes for a few years now. "Well, there. You look fantastic, and I have no doubt you'll impress sponsors tonight. May I escort you down?" As he leads me down, I can't help but feel more confident than ever. The Games will be testing, this much I know, but I also know that I'm up for the challenge.

Percy Kilo, the Remorseful Loner

District 3 Male

As I'm being led to the interviews, I look down at the ground, resisting the urge to pick at my suit. For the most part, the clothes I've been given in the Capitol have been okay, even if they've been much flashier than what I usually wear. But this suit is so crisp that it reminds me of my Reaping outfit, which of course brings me back to that awful day, the day that changed my life.

It was the last time I saw Katy, too.

She was the only one who bothered to come say goodbye to me; even my parents didn't make an appearance. She cried throughout the whole meeting, telling me how sorry she was that she had let our relationship crumble and that we weren't as close as we were when we were kids. I cried too, even though I knew the cameras would probably pick up on that when I was being led out to the trains. But I couldn't help it. Katy was blaming herself on the end of our friendship, but I know that I'm really at fault. I very nearly told her, but just like at every other point in my life, I chickened out in the end.

I want to get back to her to beg her forgiveness, but I don't know if I deserve to at this point. I know that the other tributes have written me off as weak, and I know I probably don't have much of a shot, but I do desperately want to see my sister again. Throughout my time at the Capitol, it's been all I can think about, and tonight at the interviews, I'll at least be able to talk about it a little.

Of course, I won't be able to tell the whole story. If I couldn't tell Katy to her face, I definitely won't be able to tell the whole nation. But I will be able to tell them part of the truth: that I'm just a boy desperately wanting to make it back home so I can see my sister again. And as my mentor keeps reminding me, that'll probably be the only thing that might get me sponsors, because my poor training performance certainly didn't help me in that area.

Finally, I manage to make it to what appears to be the backstage of a set. Most of the other tributes are already here. Those that have made alliances are gathered together. From what I can tell, there are the usual Careers, though Rye, the boy from 11, has taken the place of the girl from 1. She is with Scythe from 11 and Phoenix from 10. Those three seem to genuinely get along, they're chatting in the corner, and I even hear a couple laughs from time to time. Malik, the boy from 6, has paired with Rotto from 7 and Malinois from 10. They stand together as well, but there are no laughs coming from that group. It seems very much like an alliance of convenience more than anything else, almost like my parents' marriage. Other than that, everyone else is going alone.

Two more tributes enter after me, and I'm immediately forced to correct myself. No, there is one other alliance. The tributes from District 8, who seemed to know each other before the Reaping, have been inseparable every time I've seen them. Even now, they're talking quietly to each other, almost seemingly in their own little world. I remember he actually volunteered, and I wonder if there's something romantic going on between them. I'm sure if there is, we'll find out tonight.

As we're told to line up, I notice that my district partner Siri is looking over at the pair from 8 as well. Siri is a bit of an enigma to me. When we were on the train, she told me that the Games weren't real, that the deaths were fake, and that the supposedly dead tributes were actually sent off to a different corner of the Capitol to work for them. I can't tell if she's actually crazy or if she was just trying to throw me off, because I've never heard that theory before, and I don't believe a word of it. The Capitol would never take the chance of anyone finding out about a hidden world of tributes. We will die in the arena, and Siri will learn that soon enough.

"Places, tributes! The interviews are about to start!" a voice calls out from some PA system. At the sound, we're led into chairs so we can at least sit down while others are giving their interviews. From here, I can see the face of the Hunger Games, Livia Flickerman.

Livia took over from her father, the legendary Caesar Flickerman, and apparently, she's just as good as he was. She has a knack for making almost you feel like she's known every tribute for years, and you almost believe her when she wishes luck to all of the tributes at the end of every interview. She must have her favorites, just like everyone else in the Capitol, but she doesn't show them during the interviews. Whether you're from District 1 or 12, she never lets any bias show and tries her best to pain each tribute in a good light.

Hopefully, she'll be able to make something out of my answers that are sure to have stuttering, and will probably be very quiet, because I'm feeling my palms start to get sweaty as my nerves start to come out in full force. I wipe them on my pants, hoping no one notices, and only a second later, the lights come on. Soon, all of Panem will have one last judgment of me, but more importantly, Katy will be watching as well.

Katy Kilo

District 3

It's the night of the interviews, and as usual, I'm glued to the TV. Of course, it's mandatory viewing for all of Panem, but I'm much more invested in the games than I normally am. I've been watching every second of coverage, even what isn't considered required, desperate for any information I can soak up if it might mean a hint of what's happened with Percy.

My parents aren't here. They're either watching in the square to try and garner sympathy, or watching with some of my father's businessmen. Either way, I know for a fact that they don't actually care if Percy lives or dies. All they care about is using him to gain pity throughout the district. The only person who really cares about Percy is me.

The anthem on the television plays, and it has my full attention once more. Finally, I can see Percy in the background, surrounded by other tributes. I won't have to wait long for his interview, which I'm grateful for. But first, it's the girl from District 1, the girl who always wears a cat mask. It's no different tonight; when Sorelle Keylock is introduced and led forward to the seat next to Livia Flickerman, the mask is still on her face.

However, the mask has done one thing: it lends itself to the mysterious angle she's working towards. Livia asks about it right away, and while Sorelle gives very short answers, she says that the Capitol will just have to wait and see if she will ever take it off, and surprisingly, that gets a good chuckle from the audience. Livia seems surprised that someone from District 1 would have had such a low training score, but Sorelle says that training doesn't mean everything and to not count her out just yet, because she has tricks up her sleeve. She's very soft-spoken, but Livia and her angle help her out a lot.

Next comes Jem, and he couldn't be more different than his district partner. He directly talks to the audience when answering a few of his questions, and they are eating it up. He almost reminds me of my father. He's very charming, for sure, but I can also tell there's an emptiness about him. I don't think he's a nice person, but the Capitolites love him. Livia plays right along, and the only time I see a crack in his façade is when she asks why he volunteered so quickly, even before the escort asks for them. He hesitates for just a second, but since I'm analyzing everything so closely, I can spot it. His answer is that he knew he was the strongest and he didn't want anyone else taking his spot, but I doubt that's the whole truth.

The girl from 2 is much more normal than the first two tributes that came before her. She's confident and she and Livia have a natural rapport between them. Livia commends her on her high training score, and Leta says that even though she's short, people can expect big things from her in the arena. That gets a big laugh from the audience.

The boy from 2, Nero, gives one of the strangest interviews I've ever seen. It starts fine enough; he, like his district partner, seems normal for the most part. But halfway into the conversation, he asks if he can show Livia a hidden talent of his. She, of course, agrees, and he starts beatboxing. I don't really like it, but the people in the audience clap vigorously for him, and Livia wishes that she was able to rap so they could do a song together.

Next, it's finally District 3's turn. Our girl, Siri, goes first. She's had an unspectacular start so far, getting one of the lowest scores in training, but she seems very confident in her interview. She says she's not scared of the Games, and tells Livia that she can't reveal why just now, but soon all her fellow tributes will know that she's a mastermind who should never be doubted. I find her wording to be a little weird, but I don't pay too much attention to her because it's finally my brother's turn.

Percy's a little awkward as he's introduced and gets up onto the stage, and while I was expecting it, it still makes me wince a little. I want him to do well so he can have a good chance of getting sponsors. But after a slow start, his interview gets deep very fast. Livia asks what his driving forces are, and Percy wastes no time talking about me.

He says that he's fighting to get back home to me, because there are still some things left unresolved between us. He says that there are so many things he wants to say to me, which he's written down in a journal he's brought with him. Livia asks if he'll read the journal, and he says he won't unless he wins. Livia helps him out immensely here, she says she hopes he does so that they can sit down and read the journal during their last interview together. She acts like that with a lot of tributes, like she'll be seeing them again at their Victory Ceremonies, but my brother really needs to hear those words. I'm crying by the end of his interview, but when he goes to sit down, I brush my tears away so I can focus on the others. I want to know who his competition is going to be.

Both Pearlia and Zale from 4 are very similar. Pearlia is very friendly and says that she feels confident in the Games since she's very determined and only gives the very best. Livia asks about Zale, since they clearly know each other. Pearlia gives a very vague answer, simply saying that Zale is someone she's trained with, and that he's a very able competitor and she's happy to have such a worthy opponent in the Games.

Zale's interview is a little more deep. He talks about wanting to give a better life to his three younger sisters, and that he entered the Games with the hope of doing just that. He's a little more forthcoming on his and Pearlia's friendship, saying she's the most determined person that he's ever met, and if he doesn't become the Victor, it will be her.

Aurora from District 5 scares me a little bit. Livia commends her on her high score of 10 in training, asking what she did to make the score so high. Aurora says she won't give away her secrets, but promises that she's going to give everyone a show in the Games. The look on her face makes me believe she intends to keep her promise, and I don't like it one bit.

Her district partner, Jaxs, is very similar, and he scares me even more. He also goes for a mysterious angle, but seems a little more intimidating than Sorelle. He says his training score proves he has hidden skills and that he's one to watch out for in these Games. Livia asks what his motivation is and he gives a very simple answer. "My life is more important to me than anyone else's." I don't think he's going to be someone who will hesitate to kill anyone.

After several tributes who seem like real threats, the girl from 6, Aspen, is like a breath of fresh air. She's very sweet and seems to have accepted her situation and is making the most of it. She tells Livia that everyone in the Capitol has been so nice to her so far and she feels very sad to be leaving it all behind when she goes into the arena. She also directs a message to her family, telling them that she loves them and she hopes to see them again soon. I feel so bad for her. She's an innocent who should never have been put in this situation.

Her district partner Malik, on the other hand, I hate. He tries to go for the same angle as Jem, though I'm not sure if he's as successful. He ignores most of Livia's questions and just talks about how once the Games are over, all of Panem will see him as the greatest Victor who ever lived. At one point he also claims that he'll get the most kills out of anyone in the arena, and my disgust for him grows to such an insurmountable height I have a strong urge to turn the television off until he goes back to his seat.

The girl from 7, Patricia, is much more normal. She says that she also has some tricks up her sleeve and that even though she comes from a lower district, it doesn't mean she's already given up or is less determined than anyone else. Livia loves that answer and says she adores that fire that Patricia has.

The boy from 7, Rotto, is a little awkward during his interview. Livia asks about his home life, and he talks about his group of friends who he calls his squad, but when she asks if he has a girlfriend, he hesitates. He says there's someone he likes back at home, but won't really answer much beyond that. He just keeps messing with this blue ribbon that's tied around his wrist.

The pair from District 8 is really interesting. They also knew each other before coming into the Games, and Livia asks the girl, Bree, about her partner right away. She asks if there's something romantic going on between them, and Bree denies that, saying she has a boyfriend. Instead, Bree says that Samuel is someone that she's very close to, but that he's like her brother more than anything. She doesn't like that he volunteered to go into the Games with her, but she says he's been a constant source of comfort for her and she doesn't know what she'd do without him.

Samuel's interview is similar. He reiterates the point that he thinks of Bree as a sister, and tells Livia that he volunteered to protect her. He says that nothing is more important to him than getting Bree home safely, which makes me feel really sad for him. Going into the Hunger Games is akin to a death sentence for most people, but this guy isn't even going to try and make it out alive.

Milla's interview also makes me sad, but in a different way. It's clear that she's terrified of the whole process, and I'm sure the others have singled her out as a bloodbath. She speaks very quietly, and Livia has to ask her to repeat words once and a while. But once they get on the topic of Milla's sister, she does say that her sister is the most important thing in the world to her, and I begin to relate to her immensely; it's the same way I feel about Percy.

Barley's interview gets deep quick. Livia says a handsome guy like him must have a girl back home, and he says that he's engaged to the love of his life, a girl named Nellie. He says that if he wins the Games, he's going to open a bakery and live the rest of his life with Nellie. I really feel for him, and if Percy wasn't in the Games, I think I would want him to win.

Phoenix has another interesting interview. Livia is careful not to mention her sister much; it's clear that she's under pressure not to draw too much attention to the beginning of the Mockingjay's Rebellion. Instead, she asks about the other important people in Phoenix's life. Phoenix hesitates for a moment, but she eventually mentions that she and her sister live with her girlfriend's family. The Capitolites don't think much of that, but I'm sure that raised a few eyebrows in the districts, especially the outer ones. We don't really have many same-sex couples here in District 3, and I can't imagine it's easy for her in District 10.

After quite a few interviews of tributes that I like, I get a bit nasty shock with Malinois. He immediately tells Livia that he's not one to be counted out and that nothing matters more to him than coming home. He reminds me a lot of Jaxs from District 5. He's another tribute that I don't think would hesitate to kill.

Scythe is interesting. Her mother won the Games 25 years ago, and Livia is quick to bring that up. Scythe talks a lot about keeping the family legacy alive and living up to high expectations, but in her eyes, it doesn't really seem like she believes what she's saying, more like she's just reading from a script. I might just be reading too much into it, though, since the Capitol seems to really like her.

No one really knows what to expect when Rye comes up for his interview. Even Livia, who's normally unshakable, seems thrown off for a moment, but she seems to recover quickly enough. She has to resort to asking him yes or no questions, which he does answer. It doesn't give us much of an insight to Rye's personality, but it does fit in with his intimidating factor, which he does better than any of the other tributes thus far.

Liza's interview is… strange; there's no other word for it. When Livia asks her questions, she either takes a long time to answer, or she outright refuses, saying that she doesn't want to give away any of her secrets to the other tributes since she can't trust them. She's very off-putting, and it's almost a relief when her three minutes are up.

Finally, Jake ends the interviews on a somber note. Livia asks why he volunteered, and he doesn't really give an answer beyond feeling sorry that a young twelve-year-old was reaped, but that's a really strange reason. All of the other volunteers believed they could win, or in Phoenix's case, it was to take the place of her sister. Jake's reasoning is unclear at best. The topic of people back at home also seems to make him sad, and the only thing he can really say is that the Capitol isn't a bad place to spend his last few days.

With that, Livia gives a final word of luck to the tributes, and it's over until the Games themselves start tomorrow, and I don't know if I've ever been more scared in my entire life. Percy… please come back….

A/N: I know Percy's POV was short, but since Katy had such a long section, I thought it was okay to give him a shorter bit. I'll be putting in some POV's of characters we've seen back in the districts from time to time, so let me know if there's someone who really intrigued you that you'd like to see. Thank you so much for your patience, and I truly hope that the next update won't take so long. And every time you review, it really does lift my spirits, which is a greater help than you know. Until next time.

~TT